Chapter 45 : Blood War

[Hunter World]

In front of the Ant King Meruem, one of the three Royal Guards, Shaiapouf, lay sprawled on the ground, his arm brutally mangled.

The reason behind this gruesome scene was Shaiapouf's unwavering determination to eliminate the intruder, Komugi.

For Shaiapouf, this human girl was an obstacle to the King's reign, and he harbored a secret desire to assassinate her.

Taking advantage of a brief lapse in the King's attention, Shaiapouf seized the opportunity as soon as the video concluded. His desperate act managed to anger Mereum.

"Next time... I'll end you," Meruem calmly declared, his gaze briefly shifting to the motionless eagle perched in a nearby tree. He then turned and made his way toward the palace.

As he drew closer, his footsteps gradually slowed, a sense of déjà vu washing over him.

Upon reaching the palace's entrance, Meruem addressed the girl kneeling before him.

"From now on, do not refer to me as king... My name... is Meruem."

[Pirate World]

Sengoku remained silent, struggling to grasp the reality of the catastrophic explosion, a power seemingly harnessed and mass-produced by humans.

Even the World Government's coveted Pluton paled in comparison to this newly unveiled threat.

If any pirate crew or faction in this world possessed such weaponry, who would dare challenge their dominance?

[Demon Slayers World]

Kagaya Ubuyashiki contemplated the situation deeply.

Perhaps the Demon Slayers had overlooked many potential solutions. The rapid advancement of human technology in recent decades offered a fresh perspective on dealing with Souls.

What if sunlight could be manufactured as a weapon? Even if that approach proved ineffective, there might be other technological means to enhance their combat capabilities.

[Hokage World]

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his first encounter with the formidable power of technology.

"Ninjutsu... Science..."

"Perhaps my scientific pursuits shouldn't be solely dedicated to enhancing ninjutsu. Science itself possesses limitless potential, far surpassing ninjutsu."

In this moment, Orochimaru glimpsed a new path and felt a growing excitement.

Abruptly, he turned his attention to the man behind the Uzumaki mask and offered a sly smile.

"Hey... Obito, perhaps technology can help you achieve your desires."

Obito, lost in thought, murmured to himself, "Using ninjutsu to complement science..."

[Shinigami World]

Aizen had infiltrated the human realm with ease and combed through vast amounts of information. However, to his dismay, he found no trace of the technology he sought.

Yet, Aizen remained undeterred. He knew that humans had displayed remarkable ingenuity over the centuries, and he was prepared to wait for their next innovation.

"After all, I have all the time in the world... I can be patient."

Upon returning to Hueco Mundo, Aizen expected the screen to reappear soon.

"It's quite swift... I wonder if there's a world beyond mine."

Anticipation gleamed in Aizen's eyes. He anticipated a scene where he would assail the Soul King's palace and defeat the Soul King himself.

He wasn't concerned about an early reveal. Once the Hōgyoku reached its full potential, the outcome would be inevitable, regardless of how many divergent timelines existed.

The ultimate outcome would be singular – Aizen Sōsuke would transcend the bounds of this world and ascend to unparalleled heights, becoming the one and only.

But...

10...9...3...2...1...

In the next instant, the screen illuminated, baffling all viewers with its peculiar display.

The screen was split down the middle:

On the left side, a monstrous flame distorted space, its source unmistakably the Reiatsu of Gotei 13 Captain Yamamoto Genryūsai.

On the right side, an endless void of pure blackness seemed capable of devouring one's soul, a Reiatsu unlike any Aizen had ever encountered.

Aizen's shock was evident; he recognized these Reiatsu signatures!

What did he feel?

This was Reiatsu!

At the same time, in Seireitei, Kyoraku Shunsui, who had been leisurely basking in the sun on a rooftop, abruptly sat up, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"This is Sensei's Reiatsu!?"

"Teacher... dead in the future?!"

Kyoraku Shunsui's worldview shattered in that moment. He couldn't fathom the death of the Shinigami's strongest figure, their teacher.

Moreover, the Reiatsu on the right, dark as a bottomless pit, eclipsed even his teacher's power.

In Seireitei, Yamamoto's stern countenance showed a spark of surprise. He wasn't shocked by his own death but by the one who would bring about his demise.

"You're going to be killed too! Ichibei Hyōsube!"

This marked the emergence of the title:

[Death Scene, No.5]

[The World of Shinigami: Thousand Years of Blood War, Death of Two Heroes!]

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